Method and apparatus for providing supplemental power to an engine

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus provides supplemental power to an engine. The method and apparatus includes a pair of conductive leads for connecting the supplemental power to an engine electrical system, one or more batteries connected in parallel with one or more capacitors, a relay connected to the conductive leads, a shunt cable connecting the batteries and capacitors to the relay and a processor for controlling the relay to selectively apply electrical power to the engine electrical system. The method and apparatus includes safety features to reduce the risk of injury to the operator and damage to the apparatus and/or engine electrical system.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.12/436,562, filed May 6, 2009, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FORPROVIDING SUPPLEMENTAL POWER TO AN ENGINE, which is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 12/330,875, filed Dec. 9,2008, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTAL POWER TOAN ENGINE, which claims the benefit of provisional patent application61/018,715, filed Jan. 3, 2008. with the same title.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a portable power source for a motorvehicle and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus to providesupplemental power to start internal combustion and turbine engines.

BACKGROUND

Internal combustion and turbine engines require a power source to start.Commonly, this power source is in the form of a battery, which providespower to a starter motor, which in turn drives the engine. Thecrankshaft of the engine is rotated by the starter motor at a speedsufficient to start the engine. If the battery goes dead or otherwiselacks sufficient power for the starter motor to drive the engine, theengine won't start. Environmental factors, such as temperature, affectthe output of the battery and power required to rotate the engine.

If the battery lacks sufficient power to start the engine, asupplemental power source is necessary to jump start the engine.Typically, jumper cables are used to connect the battery of one vehicleto the dead battery of another vehicle needing to be jumped. Thebatteries are connected in parallel using heavy cables (jumper cables)which are connected to the terminals of the batteries using conductiveclamps.

Several potential problems arise from the use of conventional jumpercables. Batteries in motor vehicles are capable of producing from 2,500to more than 45,000 watts of power. If the batteries are cross-connectedor the clamps inadvertently contact each other when one end of thejumper cables is connected to a battery, sparking can occur resulting indamage to the battery, the electrical system of the vehicle, and injuryto the user of the jumper cables. If the jumper cables are not properlyconnected, there is a potential for the batteries exploding and fire,which may result in injury to those in proximity to the vehicle beingjumped. Furthermore, the user is not given any indication as to thereason the battery is dead, which may only cause additional problemswhen trying to jump start the dead battery.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for temporarilydelivering supplemental power to the electrical system of a vehicle. Theapparatus and method performs real-time monitoring of all systemparameters to increase the safety and effectiveness of the unit'soperation while providing additional parametric and diagnosticinformation obtained before, during and after the vehicle startingoperation.

The present invention monitors the voltage of the battery of the vehicleto be jump started and the current delivered by the jump starterbatteries and capacitors to determine if a proper connection has beenestablished and to provide fault monitoring. For safety purposes, onlyif the proper polarity is detected can the system operate. The voltageis monitored to determine open circuit, disconnected conductive clamps,shunt cable fault, and solenoid fault conditions. The current throughthe shunt cable is monitored to determine if there is a batteryexplosion risk, and for excessive current conditions presenting anoverheating condition, which may result in fire. The system includes oneor more internal batteries and capacitors to provide the power to thebattery of the vehicle to be jump started. Once the vehicle is started,the vehicle's electrical system may recharge the batteries andcapacitors before the unit automatically electrically disconnects fromthe vehicle's battery.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the portable power source of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 (divided into FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D) is a schematic of theportable power source, control circuit and sensors of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 3-8 are flow charts of the processing steps of the portable powersource of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of the interrupt service routine of the system ofthe portable power source of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in variousand alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; somefeatures may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particularcomponents. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for the claims and/or as a representative basis forteaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the presentinvention.

Moreover, except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numericalquantities in this description and in the claims are to be understood asmodified by the word “about” in describing the broader scope of thisinvention. Practice within the numerical limits stated is generallypreferred. Also, unless expressly stated to the contrary, thedescription of a group or class of materials as suitable or preferredfor a given purpose in connection with the invention implies thatmixtures or combinations of any two or more members of the group orclass may be equally suitable or preferred.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, the portable supplemental power source(jump starter) of the present invention is generally indicated byreference numeral 10. Jump starter 10 includes a programmablemicroprocessor 12 which receives inputs 14 and produces informationaloutputs 16 and control outputs 18. Microprocessor 12 providesflexibility to the system 10 to allow updates to the functionality andsystem parameters without changing the hardware. In the preferredembodiment, an 8-bit microprocessor with 64 k bytes of programmableflash memory is used to control the system 10. One such microprocessoris the ATmega644P available from Atmel Corporation. The microprocessor12 may be programmed via an internal connector 90, or an externalconnector 92 (see FIG. 2). It should be understood that otherprogramming ports may be included are not limited to the two shown inthe figure.

A capacitor voltage sensor 49 monitors the voltage level of one or morecapacitor 21. The capacitors 21 may include energy storage modulescontaining six or more ultracapacitor cells, for example. The capacitormodules 21 may be connected in series to obtain higher operatingvoltages or in parallel to provide additional energy storage. One suchcapacitor module is the Boostcap Energy Storage Module available fromMaxwell Technologies, Inc.

A battery voltage sensor 20 monitors the voltage level of one or morejump starter batteries 22. A reverse voltage sensor 24 monitors thepolarity of the jumper cables on line 26 which are connected to thevehicle's electrical system 28. A vehicle voltage sensor 30 monitors thevoltage on line 37 (voltage of the vehicle). When the contacts are open,the solenoid voltage sensor 32 input to microprocessor 12 is used tomeasure the voltage of the jump starter capacitors 21 and batteries 22,which may be configured for various jump starter voltages. When thecontacts are closed, the voltage difference between the capacitors 21and batteries 22, and the contact relay 34 is used to measure thevoltage drop across a temperature-and-resistance calibrated 00 AWG shuntcable 36 in order to calculate the current being delivered by the jumpstarter capacitors 21 and batteries 22 to the vehicle's electricalsystem 28. Although the present invention is disclosed and described astemporarily connected to a vehicle, it should be understood that it isequally applicable to a stationary engine. Additionally, the connectionmethod to the electrical system or batteries of the engine to be startedis not important and may include conductive clamps, NATO connectors, ormay be permanently hardwired to the system, for example.

A battery temperature sensor 38 monitors the temperature of the jumpstarter's batteries 22 to detect overheating due to excess current drawfrom the batteries during jump starting. A shunt cable temperaturesensor 40 monitors the temperature of the 00 AWG shunt cable 36 in orderto compensate for resistance changes of the shunt cable due to the highcurrent passing through the shunt cable 36 and to detect overheatingconditions. The unit 10 also includes automatic 42 and manual 44pushbutton inputs to accept user input to select either automatic ormanual operation.

The temperature of 00 AWG shunt cable 37 may also be monitored by atemperature sensor or thermal switch 41. As long as the temperature ofthe cable 37 is below a predetermined limit, the input on line 58 ispassed through sensor 41 to line 59 to enable the contact relay 34 ascontrolled by system microcontroller 12. If the temperature of the cable37 exceeds a predetermined limit, then the temperature sensor 41presents an open circuit to control line 58 to disable contact relay 34and not allow power to be applied to the vehicle 28. It should beunderstood that the temperature sensor 41 may be coupled to cable 36, 37or any other cable that may become overheated. Additional temperaturesensors may be used to provide additional protection of the system fromoverheating.

A capacitor temperature sensor 47 monitors the temperature of the jumpstarter capacitors 21 to detect overheating due to excess current drawfrom the capacitors during jump starting.

The microprocessor 12 includes several outputs 16 to provide informationto the user and to control the application of power to the vehicle to bejump started. An LCD display 46 may be used to display userinstructions, error messages, and real-time sensor data during operationof the jump starter 10. A reverse voltage LED 48 is illuminated when themicroprocessor 12 determines that a reverse voltage jumper cable voltageis detected by reverse voltage sensor 24. An auto mode LED 50 isilluminated when the automatic mode pushbutton 42 is depressed. A manualmode LED 52 is illuminated when the manual mode pushbutton 44 isdepressed. If the voltage level of the jump starter batteries 22 dropbelow a value of twenty percent of the normal level, a charge batteryLED 54 is illuminated. The charge battery LED 54 remains illuminateduntil the batteries 22 are charged to a minimum state of charge such asfifty percent, for example. A fault LED 56 is turned on anytime themicroprocessor 12 detects any operational, sensor or internal fault. Anaudible warning may also be provided 70. The fault LED 56 remainsilluminated until the fault condition is cleared.

A contact relay control output 58 operates the contact relay 34 throughtemperature sensor 41. When the jump starter operation has beensuccessfully initiated, the contact relay 34 is closed and the jumpstarter capacitors 21 and batteries 22 are connected to the startersystem or batteries of the vehicle to be started 28. The contact relay34 is opened when a successful start cycle has been completed, a startfault has occurred or the operator interrupts the jump starter cycle. Anoptional key pad 72 may be included and used for entry of a passcode tooperate the unit 10, or to identify one or more users of the systemwhich may be stored to track user operation. For example, if twodifferent users operate the unit 10 and error conditions are recordedfor one of the users, this information may be used to identify trainingissues that need to be addressed.

Referring to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 3-8, when the jump starter 10 isinitially powered on 200, the microcontroller 12 initializes thehardware, reads all system parameters and variables, and initializes theinterrupt service routine 202 (See FIG. 8). All stored performancehistory is read from the onboard, non-volatile memory 204 and a startmessage is displayed 206 on the LCD display 46. The history is saved fordiagnostic, unit use and safety purposes. The microcontroller 12 thenperforms a system self-test operation 208 where the LCD 46, all LEDs 48,50, 52, 54 and 56, all sensors 20, 24, 30, 32, 38, 40, the push buttons42 and 44, and the system batteries 22 are tested and their statusdisplayed 208 on the LCD 46. If a fault is detected 400, an errormessage is displayed 402 and system operation is halted.

Once the initialization and self-test operations are completed, thesystem starts into a main processing loop 210. An interrupt serviceroutine (“ISR”) 500 (FIG. 9) is also started which constantly monitorsall input sensor values and user input buttons. The ISR 500 isperiodically called by the microcontroller 502. A check is made todetermine if the serial input buffer flag is set 504. If the flag is set504, then configuration information is read and flags set or cleared506. If the output flag is set 508, the information is transmitted to anexternal PC and the output buffer flag is cleared 510. Next, all inputparameters are read 512, and a moving average is calculated for eachparameter 514. If the PC remote flag is set 516, all parameters andstatuses are copied to the output buffer 518 and the output buffer flagis set 520. The manual mode AC starting current profile is calculated522, all event timer counts are incremented 524, and the status of theautomatic 42 and manual 44 pushbuttons is monitored and set 526. Allcalculations, timer counts, and status indications (flags) are stored inthe internal memory of the microprocessor 12.

At the start of the main process loop 210, the flags are checked 404beginning with the shunt calibration flag 406. If the shunt calibrationflag is set 406, the starter contact relay 34 is closed 408. Thetemperature of the shunt cable is measured 410 and the voltage dropacross the shunt cable is read 412. The temperature of the shunt cableis measured a second time and averaged with the previous reading 414.The shunt resistance is then calculated and saved 416 and the shuntcalibration flag is cleared 418.

Next, if the flag to upload data to an external PC is set 420, theinformation is copied to the output buffer 422, the output buffer readyflag is set 424, and the upload data flag is cleared 426. If thedownload data from PC flag is set 428, data is copied from the inputbuffer 430, and the download data flag is cleared 432.

If the PC remote control flag is set 434, the remote control status flagis toggled 436. If the flag is true, the unit 10 can be controlledremotely by a PC or locally by the buttons. If the flag is false, theunit can only be controlled locally.

If the system does not detect a battery charging voltage 212, oncejumper cables 60 have been manually connected to the vehicle to bestarted 28, the voltage is measured by the reverse voltage sensor 24 todetermine if the cables have been properly connected to the vehicle 214.If the voltage measured is significantly less than the voltage of thejump starter capacitors 21 and batteries 22, then a reverse polarityconnection of the jumper cables to the vehicle is determined and anerror flag is set and the event saved in non-volatile memory 216. A“Reverse Polarity” error message is displayed 218 on the LCD 46, and thereverse voltage LED 48 is illuminated 216. Any further jump starteraction by the operator is ignored until the reverse polarity conditionis corrected 220, at which point processing returns to the start of themain processing loop 210.

If the jumper cables 60 are not reverse connected 214, then the state ofcharge of the capacitors 21 and batteries 22 is determined 222. If thevoltage level of the system batteries 22 measured by the voltage sensor30 is equal to a state of charge of eighty percent or more below a fullycharged voltage level 222, an error flag is set and the event recordedin memory 224. The charge battery LED 54 is illuminated and the LCD 46displays a “Charge Battery” message 225. The system stays in thiscondition, which prohibits any further jump starter action by theoperator until a charging voltage is detected 226, which is great enoughto indicate that a battery charger (not shown) has been connected to thebatteries 22.

If the system has detected a battery charger voltage 212, a “BatteryCharging” message is displayed 228 on the LCD 46, and the charge LED 54is illuminated. The voltage profile of the battery 22 is monitored todetermine if the charge is complete 230. A completed charge isdetermined by monitoring the charging voltage rise to a threshold valuethen decrease by a predetermined percentage. This voltage peaking andsubsequent fall-off is a characteristic of the battery chemistryindicating that the battery has reached its maximum charge capacity.Once the charging has reached a minimum charged level or is completed230, the processing returns to the beginning of the main processing loop210. The jump starter batteries 22 only need to reach a 50% charge inorder for the system to attempt to start the vehicle.

If the battery or capacitor temperature measured by sensors 38 and 47rises above a maximum safe threshold 232, an error flag is set and theevent recorded in non-volatile memory 234. An error message “BatteryOver Temperature” or “Capacitor Over Temperature” is displayed 236 onthe LCD 46 and the Fault LED 56 is illuminated. The system prevents anyfurther operation until the battery and/or capacitor temperature fallsbelow a safe level 238. Once a safe temperature is reached, processingreturns to a ready state at the beginning of the main processing loop210.

If the voltage of one or more of the capacitors measured by thecapacitor voltage sensor 49 exceeds a predetermined limit 239, such as2.8 volts, for example, an error flag is set and the event recorded innon-volatile memory 241. An error message “Capacitor Over Voltage” isdisplayed 243 and the fault LED 56 is illuminated. Processing thenreturns to the main processing loop 210.

If the temperature of the shunt cable 36 rises above a safe thresholdtemperature 240, an error flag is set and the event recorded in memory242. An error message “Cable over Temperature” is displayed 244 on theLCD 46 and the Fault LED 56 is illuminated. The system prevents anyfurther operation until the shunt cable temperature falls below aminimum safe temperature 246. Once a safe temperature is reached, thesystem returns to a ready state at the beginning of the main processingloop 210.

Next, the system checks the status of the automatic 42 and manual 44push buttons. If neither button has been pushed 248, a “Ready” messageis displayed 250 on the LCD 46 and processing returns to the mainprocessing loop 210. When no error conditions are detected and no userinputs are being processed, the system remains in the ready mode, anddisplays a “Ready” text message on the LCD 46. Other information such asthe selected jump starter voltage, the percentage change of thebatteries 22, the temperature of the batteries, and the vehicle voltage,for example, may also be displayed on LCD 46.

If one of the push buttons 42 or 44 has been selected, the system willcompare the operator-configured starter voltage against the voltage ofthe vehicle to be started 28. The jump starter 10 may be configured for12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42 or 48 volts, for example, using a selector jumper55. For example, if the batteries 23 are both 12-volt batteries, thesystem may be configured for 12- or 24-volt operation. For example, ifjumper 27 is placed across terminals 31, the 24-volt configuration maybe selected. If jumper 29 is placed across terminals 31, the 12-voltconfiguration may be selected. If the batteries 23 are 12-volt batteriesand a battery 25 is a 6-volt battery, 18- or 30-volt configurations maybe provided. For example, if jumper 27 is placed across terminals 31,the 30-volt configuration may be selected. If jumper 29 is placed acrossterminals 31, the 18-volt configuration may be selected. It should beunderstood that two or more batteries of the same or different voltagelevels may be used to meet the voltage requirements of the vehicle to bestarted. If the difference between the voltage selected and the voltagemeasured is not within a predetermined range and tolerance 252, a “WrongSelector Volts” message is displayed 254 on the LCD 46 and furtheroperation is prohibited until the correct voltage is selected 256 atwhich point processing returns to the main processing loop 210.

If the selected voltage is within the correct range 252, then the systemdetermines which button was selected 258. If the Auto button 42 waspushed, a ninety-second count down timer is started and displayed 260 onthe LCD 46. During this time the system monitors the vehicle voltage262. If the system does not detect a voltage drop 264 within 90 seconds265, the automatic operation is cancelled and processing returns to themain processing loop 210. The automatic operation may also beinterrupted and canceled by pushing the auto button 267. If the vehiclevoltage drops by twenty percent or more from the initially measuredvoltage 264, then the vehicle's starter motor is engaged and is tryingto start the vehicle. If the maximum number of start attempts has notbeen exceeded 266, the contact relay 34 is closed and the contact relayon timer is started 268, connecting the jump starter's capacitors 21 andbatteries 22 to the vehicle's starting system 28. The start cyclecounter is incremented 270, a “Jump Starter On” message is displayed 272along with the average current being drawn, and the Auto Mode LED 50 isilluminated. If the relay on timer expires indicating that the relay 34has been closed for ninety seconds without a start complete event, therelay 34 is automatically opened by the system to reduce the probabilityof overheating any component in the jump starter or vehicle.

The system monitors all input sensors 14 and the current status of thejump starter for possible fault conditions. Upon detection of any faultcondition, the system will open the contact relay 34 (if closed), anddisplay a message indicating that a fault has occurred, and what action,if any, should be taken by the operator.

If the battery temperature exceeds a maximum limit 274, a batterytemperature error count is incremented 276. The contact relay 34 isopened, a “Battery Temp” error message and temperature is displayed 278on the LCD 46 and the fault LED 56 is illuminated. Processing returns tothe main processing loop 210.

If the shunt cable temperature exceeds a maximum limit 280, a cabletemperature error count is incremented 282. The contact relay 34 isopened, a “Cable Temp” error message and temperature is displayed 278 onthe LCD 46 and the fault LED 56 is illuminated. Processing returns tothe main processing loop 210.

If the system detects a geometric rise in the starting current 284during the first 16 seconds after the contact relay 34 is closed, acurrent doubling error count is incremented 286, a “Battery Explosion”error message is displayed 288 on the LCD 46, the contact relay 34 isopened and the fault LED 56 is illuminated 290. The system may bereturned to the ready mode if the Automatic button 42 is pressed by theoperator 292, or automatically after five minutes 294.

If no current flow is detected by the system 296 indicating that thereis an open circuit within the system, an open circuit error count isincremented 298, an “Open Circuit” error message is displayed 300 on theLCD 46, the contact relay 34 is opened and the fault LED 56 isilluminated 290. The system may be returned to the ready mode if theAutomatic button 42 is pressed by the operator 292, or automaticallyafter five minutes 294.

If the system detects an increase in the difference between the measuredjump starter battery voltage 20 and the voltage measured 30 across thecontact relay 34 indicating that one of the jump starter cables has beendisconnected 302 from the vehicle's battery or starter system 28 then ajumper cable unplugged error count is incremented 304, a “Jumper CableUnplugged” error message is displayed 306 on the LCD 46, the contactrelay 34 is opened and the fault LED 56 is illuminated 290. The systemmay be returned to the ready mode if the Automatic button 42 is pressedby the operator 292, or automatically after five minutes 294.

During the jump starting process if the current measured across theshunt cable 36 is greater than a preset maximum current such as 1400amps for a short period of time such as 500 ms 308, the over max currenterror count is incremented 310, an “Over MAX Starting Current” errormessage is displayed 312 on LCD 46, the contact relay 34 is opened andthe fault LED 56 is illuminated 290. The current across the shunt cable36 is also measured to determine if it exceeds a predetermined currentsuch as 1000 amps for more than a predetermined period of time such as15 seconds 314. If this over current condition is determined, an overhigh current error count is incremented 316, an “Over High Crank Amps”error message is displayed 318 on the LCD 46, the contact relay 34 isopened and the fault LED 56 is illuminated 290. The system may bereturned to the ready mode if the Automatic button 42 is pressed by theoperator 292, or automatically after five minutes 294.

If the system detects a decrease in the jump starter battery voltage 20,but does not detect an appreciable current flow through the jumpstarter, a shunt cable 36 failure is indicated 320. The shunt cable 36is a precisely measured and calibrated 00 AWG wire, the temperature ofwhich is monitored 40 and used to calculate the resistance across thelength of the cable 36.

The voltage drop across the cable 36 is also measured to calculate thecurrent through the shunt cable 36 using Ohm's Law. If the shunt cable36 fails, the system cannot reliably measure the starting current whichwould present a safety hazard.

If the system detects a shunt cable failure 320, a current shunt errorcount is incremented 322, a “Current Shunt Failure” error message isdisplayed 324 on the LCD 46, the contact relay 34 is opened and thefault LED 56 is illuminated 290. The system may be returned to the readymode if the Automatic button 42 is pressed by the operator 292, orautomatically after five minutes 294.

If the system detects a great difference between the vehicle's voltage30 and the contact relay 34 voltage 326, the contact relay 34 may havefailed indicating an over high starter current condition. A contactrelay failure count is incremented 328, a “Contact Relay Error” messageis displayed 330 on the LCD 46, the contact relay 34 is opened and thefault LED 56 is illuminated 290. The system may be returned to the readymode if the Automatic button 42 is pressed by the operator 292, orautomatically after five minutes 294.

If manual mode is selected 258, “Manual” is displayed 332 on the LCD 46,the system will prompt the operator to press the manual button 44 again.If the manual button 44 is pressed a second time 334, then the systemchecks the number of start attempts 266. If the maximum number of startattempts has been exceeded 266, an over start attempt error count isincremented 336, a “Cool Down Unit” message is displayed 338 on the LCD46, and the system waits for five minutes for the system to cool 340.Once the cool down time has expired, processing returns to the mainprocessing loop 210. If the total start attempts have not exceeded thelimit 266, the processing continues at block 268 as described above.

If in auto mode and the starting current decreases by 20% from themaximum measured current 342, then the start cycle is complete. Adecrease in the starting current indicates that the vehicle has startedand its alternator is now generating its own current reducing the demandfrom the jump starter batteries 22. If the starting current is below thethreshold 342, a “Start Cycle Complete” message is displayed 344 on LCD46, and the contact relay is opened 346. This message remains displayeduntil the operator presses the Auto button 292, or if there is no useractivity for five minutes 294, after which the system returns to themain processing loop 210.

If in manual mode, the jump starter 10 may be used when the batteryvoltage of the vehicle is below 10 volts, or if the vehicle's battery isnot connected. In the situation where the vehicle's battery is presentbut has a voltage of less than 10 volts, the jump starter will start tocharge the vehicle's battery before any starting operation begins. Ifthe vehicle's battery is extremely low or completely dead, once thecontactor is closed, the jump starter's batteries will start to chargethe batteries. The current will rise sharply and then start to decrease,but this does not indicate that a start attempt has been made or thatthe vehicle's starter motor has been cranked. The algorithm looks forthis initial increase and then decrease in the delivered current andthen waits for a minimum of three alternating current cycles indicatingthat the vehicle's starter has been engaged. Due to thecompression/decompression cycles of the pistons, the starting currentwill rise and fall in a generally sinusoidal pattern. The algorithmlooks for this so that it knows that the vehicle's starter motor hasbeen activated. Once this alternating current cycle has been detected,if the current then decreases by approximately twenty percent andremains low, this indicates a start complete, the contactor is opened,the start complete message is displayed and then the system waits forthe Auto button to be pushed or the 5 minute timeout.

If the vehicle's battery holds the charge, then the starting cycle inmanual mode is the same as described above for automatic mode. If thebattery does not hold the charge or if no battery is present, the systemwaits until the vehicle's starter motor is engaged. Once the vehicle'sstarter motor is engaged and the engine is turning over, the system 10monitors the jump starter current flow. As the engine turns over thejump starter's current increases and decreases with the compressionstroke of the engine's pistons. During a piston's compression cycle, thecurrent from the jump starter's batteries 22 increases due to theincreased power demand of the starter motor. During a piston'sdecompression cycle, the current flow decreases due to the decreasedpower demand of the starter motor. This current increase and decrease isgenerally sinusoidal which is recognized by the system.

Once the system has detected three more sinusoidal current flow cycles,the same 20% decrease threshold in current as set forth above for theautomatic mode determination, may be used to determine when thevehicle's engine has started 348. If the engine has started, the “StartCycle Complete” message is displayed 344 on the LCD 46 and the contactrelay opened 346.

If the engine has not been started 348, the system next checks the relayclosed time. If the maximum time set for the contact relay to be closedhas expired 350, a “Maximum Starter On” message is displayed 352 on theLCD 46 and the contact relay is opened 346.

If the contact relay closed time has not expired, the system checks fora cycle halt flag. Any cycle may be interrupted by the Auto button beingpressed by the operator. If the Auto button is pressed 354, a “StartCycle Halted” message is displayed 356 on the LCD 46, and the contactrelay opened 346.

At the completion of a start cycle the jump starter 10 has opened thecontact relay 34 and the message “Start complete” is displayed 46, andthe starting current is displayed for diagnostic assessment of thevehicle's starting system. At this time the voltage of the vehicle 28 ismonitored. Normal vehicle charging voltages fall within certain rangesfor 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48 volts systems. The jump starterdisplays the running vehicle's voltage and makes an assessment todetermine if the vehicle's generated voltage is actually great enough tocharge the vehicle's battery. If the voltage is below a threshold forcharging the vehicle's battery, the jump starter displays “Vehicle NotCharging” message and shows the measured voltage. If the vehicle'sgenerated voltage is great enough to charge the vehicle's battery, thejump starter displays “Vehicle Charging” showing a working vehiclecharging system and displays the vehicle charging voltage.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a diode 35 may be connected across thecontact 34 to charge the capacitors 21 and jump starter batteries 22from the vehicle charging system 28. The charging system of the vehiclemay be used to charge the capacitors 21 and jump starter batteries 22.Whenever the vehicle has a working charging system this will occur aslong as the cables are connected to the vehicle. This allows thecapacitors 21 and jump starter batteries 22 to be fully recharged inabout 1 to 5 minutes and can therefore start many vehicles in a rowwithout becoming discharged. Even in situations in which the jumpstarter batteries 22 may be discharged to an extent that they alone maynot be able to provide the necessary power to start a vehicle, thecapacitors 21 may be rapidly recharged to start many vehicles in a row.This is very useful when starting fleets of vehicles with deadbatteries.

It is to be understood that while certain forms of this invention havebeen illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto, except in sofar as such limitations are included in the following claims andallowable equivalents thereof.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:
 1. A method for deliveringsupplemental power from a portable jump starter to an engine comprisingthe steps of: positioning said portable jump starter proximate theengine; temporarily manually connecting conductive leads from saidportable jump starter to the electrical system of the engine;automatically selecting a voltage output of one or more system batterieshoused in said portable jump starter and one or more system capacitorshoused in said portable jump starter, verifying the polarity of theconductive leads; providing an alert if said polarity is incorrect;assessing the voltage level of said electrical system; applying powerfrom said system batteries and said system capacitors to said electricalsystem; monitoring the current output of said system batteries and saidsystem capacitors; measuring one or more voltage levels to determine oneor more fault conditions; examining the current through a shunt cable;and electrically disconnecting said conductive leads from saidelectrical system when the engine starts.
 2. The method of claim 1including determining the temperature of said shunt cable.
 3. The methodof claim 2 wherein if said temperature reaches a predetermined limit,electrically disconnecting said conductive leads from said electricalsystem.
 4. The method of claim 2 including calculating the resistance ofsaid shunt cable.
 5. The method of claim 4 including calibrating saidshunt cable.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein said selecting stepincludes selecting a voltage from the group consisting of 12 volts, 18volts, 24 volts, 30 volts, 36 volts, 42 volts and 48 volts.
 7. Themethod of claim 6 wherein said voltage is 18 volts or 30 volts.
 8. Themethod of claim 1 wherein said verifying step includes comparing thevoltage level of said electrical system to the voltage level of saidsupplemental battery.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein said assessingstep includes charging an engine battery connected to said electricalsystem if the voltage of said engine battery is below a predeterminedlevel.
 10. The method of claim 9 including the step of monitoring acharging voltage of said system batteries and said capacitors.
 11. Themethod of claim 10 wherein when said charging voltage rises to athreshold value and then decreases by a predetermined percentage,charging of said engine battery is complete.
 12. The method of claim 1wherein said assessing step includes comparing the voltage level of saidelectrical system to a supplement power voltage setting, whereas if thedifference between said electrical system voltage and said supplementpower voltage setting is greater than a predetermined limit, indicatinga fault condition.
 13. The method of claim 1 wherein said applying stepincludes closing a relay.
 14. The method of claim 1 wherein saidapplying step includes recording operational data.
 15. The method ofclaim 1 wherein said applying step includes recording the number ofstart attempts.
 16. The method of claim 13 wherein said applying stepincludes starting a timer.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein saidapplying step includes opening said relay upon expiration of said timer.18. The method of claim 1 wherein said monitoring step includesmonitoring the temperature of said system batteries.
 19. The method ofclaim 18 wherein if a temperature limit is reached electricallydisconnecting said conductive leads from said electrical system.
 20. Themethod of claim 18 wherein if a temperature limit is reachedelectrically disconnecting said conductive leads from said electricalsystem to reduce the risk of fire.
 21. The method of claim 1 wherein ifsaid current through said shunt cable exceeds a first limit within afirst period, electrically disconnecting said conductive leads from saidelectrical system.
 22. The method of claim 21 wherein if said currentthrough said shunt cable exceeds a second limit within a second period,electrically disconnecting said conductive leads from said electricalsystem.
 23. The method of claim 1 wherein if said current through saidshunt cable geometrically increases over a predetermined period,electrically disconnecting said conductive leads from said electricalsystem.
 24. The method of claim 1 wherein said electricallydisconnecting step includes opening a relay.
 25. The method of claim 1wherein said electrically disconnecting step includes recharging saidsystem batteries and said system capacitors for a predetermined timebefore opening a relay to electrically disconnect said conductive leadsfrom said electrical system.